Chapter 13 Chapter Twelve

After the Bennet sisters had made up their minds, Elizabeth wrote to her mother the next morning, asking her to send a car to pick them up that day.Mrs. Bennet, however, had long intended to keep her two daughters at Netherfield until next Tuesday, so that Jane might stay for exactly a week, and was not very inclined to take them home early, and her letters were written in such a way that they were not satisfied. Too satisfied, at least not so much to Elizabeth, who was anxious to get home. Mrs. Bennet wrote that there would be no carriage till Tuesday.When she had finished her letter, she added a few words, saying that if Mr. Bingley and his brother and sister would keep them for a few days longer, she would be very willing to let them stay.However, Elizabeth just refused to stay. She made up her mind to go home and did not expect much from the master to keep them. Instead, she was afraid that they would think they were hanging there and would not go.So she urged Jane to borrow Bingley's carriage at once.They finally resolved to explain to their hosts that they were leaving Netherfield that morning, and to bring up the matter of borrowing the carriage.

When the hosts heard this, they expressed their concern in every possible way, and urged them to stay until the next day at least; Jane was persuaded, and the sisters had to wait another day.This made Miss Bingley regret retaining them, and her jealousy and dislike of Elizabeth forbade her affection for Jane.Bingley was very worried when he heard that they were going to leave soon, so he persuaded Jane again and again, saying that she had not fully recovered, and it would not be right to leave immediately, but since Jane felt that her opinion was right, she insisted again and again. But Darcy thinks this is good news. He thinks Elizabeth has been at Netherfield long enough.He did not expect to be so intoxicated with her this time, and Miss Bingley was rude to her while making fun of himself more and more.He had a sudden idea, and decided to take special care of himself, and never show any sign of admiration for her at present, lest she have the wrong idea and manipulate my lifelong happiness, Darcy.He felt that, if she had thought that way, it must have been his attitude towards her yesterday that had played a decisive role in making her either feel more fond of him or reject him altogether.He was so determined that he hardly spoke ten words to her all Saturday.Although he had been alone with her for half an hour once that day, he read his book openly and attentively without looking at her.

After morning prayers on Sunday, the Ben sisters took their leave immediately, to the delight of almost everyone in the host family.Miss Bingley became at once polite to Elizabeth, and affectionate to Jane.When they parted, she first told Jane how much she looked forward to seeing her again at Longbourne, or at Netherfield, and embraced her very affectionately, and even shook Elizabeth's hand.Elizabeth took leave of everyone cheerfully. When they got home, their mother welcomed them with less enthusiasm.Mrs. Bennet wondered how they should have come back so early, and complained very much of all the trouble they had caused the family, and said that Jane was sure to have another cold.On the contrary, their father was very happy to see his two daughters coming home, although he didn't say anything joyful.He has long realized how important the two daughters are in the family.When Jane and Elizabeth are not present at night when the family gathers to talk, there is no energy, or even meaning.

They found that Manli was still immersed in the study of harmony, acoustics and human nature as before. She took out some new notes for them to appreciate, and expressed some new insights on old morality to them.Catelyn and Lydia also told them some news, but of a different nature.According to them, a lot has happened to the militia since last Wednesday, and a lot of legends have been added; some officers have recently dined with their uncle; get married.